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Streets around Wis. Capitol fill with protesters

MADISON, Wis. (AP) - The largest crowd yet converged at the
Wisconsin Capitol on Saturday to rally against a Republican-backed
bill that would weaken public sector unions, with protesters -
including a few famous faces - jamming the building and spilling
into the streets.

The demonstration is in its 12th straight day, with hundreds of
protesters sleeping overnight in the Capitol. Union supporters also
held rallies across the country in a show of solidarity, but
Madison remained ground zero.

Madison Police spokesman Joel DeSpain said he didn't have a firm
estimate, but said the crowd was larger than last Saturday when
nearly 70,000 people descended on the Capitol. Hundreds of people
banged on drums and screamed into bullhorns in the Capitol rotunda,
while the others braved the sub-freezing temperatures and a heavy
snowfall for a rally outside.

The crowd cheered as pilot Jeff Skiles, the first officer on the
US Airways Flight that landed in New York City's Hudson River in
January 2009, told them that "justice and righteousness will
always win out." Skiles helped pilot Chesley "Sully"
Sullenberger land the plane, whose 155 passengers and crew members
were safely rescued.

Wisconsin actor Bradley Whitford, who has had starring roles in
television's "The West Wing" and the Adam Sandler movie "Billy
Madison," told the crowd that he was taking the governor's efforts
personally.

"I want to thank you for coming out here today to exercise
those pesky First Amendment rights," said Whitfield, a graduate of
Madison East High School. "This governor has to understand
Wisconsin is a stubborn constituency. We fish through ice!"

Republican Gov. Scott Walker has introduced a bill that would
require public sector workers to give more to their pensions and
health care. Other provisions in the measure would strip almost all
public workers, from librarians to snow plow drivers, of their
right to collectively bargain on their benefits and work
conditions.

Walker has said the proposal will help balance the state's
current $137 million shortfall and help close a projected $3.6
billion deficit in the upcoming 2011-13 two-year budget. He also
says freeing local governments from collective bargaining will give
them the flexibility they need to deal with deep cuts coming in his
budget.

The bill has sent Democrats and unions into an outrage. They see
it as trampling on workers' rights and as an attempt to destroy
Democrats' strongest campaign allies.

Saturday's crowd jammed the Capitol steps, packed the
ice-covered lawn - some sat in trees - and filled surrounding
streets. Several thousand counter-protesters came out last Saturday
to support Walker, but they were hardly visible this time.

Capitol police planned to let protesters stay overnight Saturday
into Sunday, but plan to finally close the building Sunday
afternoon to let crews clean it.

People held signs that called Walker a parasite and a dictator
and demanded voters recall him. Michael Janairo, a 4-year-old of
Sheboygan, held a sign that showed Green Bay Packers star
linebacker Clay Matthews tackling Walker. Michael's mother, Lisa
Janairo, is not a public worker but drove to Madison to show
support.

"For him to dictate and not negotiate is just wrong and we
won't stand for it," the 45-year-old said.